This book was okay. I can’t quite figure out what it is that didn’t quite work for me? Maybe it was a bit too much not-like-other-girls? I really don’t know.

I adored Vasti’s Halifax Hellions novellas, so was really looking forward to a full length novel, but for whatever reason this one just didn’t hit the same way as those ones did.

Overall, there was very little relationship drama, no third act breakup, Selina runs a library with an erotic section for women because she wants to educate them and Peter is a an abolitionist. All of these are things that should have made me love it, but it just fell flat.

The story is that Peter Kent, the new Duke of Sanford has fallen into the title, being an illegitimate son of the former Duke, who was raised in New Orleans. This obviously makes him an outsider in parliament and the ton. He is also trying to get custody of his two much younger siblings, as their mother has died. It is decided that it would look better for his petition if he’s married. And so starts his sort of courting of three different not-like-other-girls, when Selina is the not-like-other-girls that he actually wants.

Anyway, I’ll likely read Vasti’s other books, in hopes of getting something closer to the Hellions books. And this book wasn’t bad, it was just kind of blah, imo.

Woah, this was my first Alexandra Vasti but I immediately need more of her work and I need it ASAP.

Peter Kent yearns to have guardianship of his half siblings. The only issue is that society looks down on him because a) his views on politics are things the ton would have to fan themselves over and b) sheep.. Luckily, an acquaintance he hasn't heard or seen from in two years has a solution: he needs to marry. He thinks Selina is bright to have this idea and agrees to date some matches she's set up. But as time goes on, he can't help the thoughts swirling in his head about the matchmaker herself.

Selina is someone everyone in society wants to be seen with. Yet, she's carrying a heavy secret: she's the secret leader of putting out erotic literature. She agrees to help Peter with getting guardianship of his siblings through matchmaking. But what happens when the matchmaker herself gets stuck in "wet" situations that make her admit her feelings for the man himself?

Ne'er Duke Well is a book that had me laughing, blushing and flipping the pages as I was IMMEDIATELY in love with both Peter and Selina's storylines. Those who love Bridgerton, especially Lady Whistledown, will ADORE this book and root for these two friends to kiss in the carriage. It's spicy, it's delightful, it's the first of what I'm sure will be a delightful series.

Mhair Morrision made this an audio that I listened to in just a few sittings, laughing and cheering on each character. Her voice for both Peter and Selina immersed me in the storyline and I definitely would recommend this one on audio for those preferring that format.

I’m a fairly new fan of historical romance, and can’t get enough of them, so of course I swooned when I saw this fun story.

I was swept up into the romance story between Peter Kent—Duke of Stanhope, and Lady Selina Ravenscroft.

The characters are so well-written, and I love what a fierce and independent woman Selina was for her time. My only downfall with making this a five-star-read was the miscommunication trope featured.

I paired the book with audio and loved this immersive style of reading so much!

*many thanks to Dreamscape, St Martin’s Press, (HEA) and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

This was a cute historical romance where one party is convinced they are an inappropriate and damaging match for the other.

Great audio narration.

This was so close to a slam dunk. *So* close. I loved Selina and Peter and how much they were idiots in love without admitting it, but the beats in their story felt too rushed. I wanted more time with them *being* idiots, and while there was no silly third-act break-up, the alternative conflict wasn't too exciting.

I was laughed out loud, at least once a chapter. I am not even close to exaggerating. I genuinely laughed out loud through this entire book. I loved how even the side characters with little coverage still feel like full people the second they appeared on page.

I loved the context we get so that certain characters are allowed to be forward thinking without feeling like modern ideas and sensibilities are being shoe-horned in (mainly through phrasing choices, and not so much in forgetting the fact people DID think slavery should be abolished and countries shouldn't have their heritage stolen from them). Too often modern awareness slips into stories about people who historically wouldn't have thought twice about taking advantage of others and in fact built their wealth by doing so. But Vasti clearly did a significant amount of research not just on the time period and cultural norms, but also into the history of the topics she discusses. The way these individual characters think is not only presented as not the norm, but also makes sense in the world they live in as to why they think how they do. A great showcase in the fact that caring about others isn't a new concept.

One thing I didn't love, I didn't love, was that the main characters clearly had a history and we know nothing about it. we never see any of it, we're just told about it. I also didn't love how she just... assumes he was pretending when he ASKS HER TO MARRY HIM and says it seriously. A very frustrating lack of communication. Though I do understand her reluctance.

I also want to make a specific note about the way they don't do a 'New Orleans' accent for Peter and I appreciate that so much as a person from New Orleans. Some books have done that stupid accent and I can't listen to it. SO I really love that this one DOES NOT do that. Even if some of the city areas are mispronounced. I'm chalking those up to the shift in pronunciation over time.

I can not wait to read book 2 in this series.

I really enjoyed getting to know the cast of characters in this book and I liked their unique qualities. They appreciated what made the other special and I liked that there was a level of trust and respect even while they were just friends. Peter's younger siblings were great and a nice addition to the story. I listened to the audiobook and it was very well done and a great way to enjoy this regency novel.

I was so excited to start this book when I saw it on net galley. I read the Halifax novellas and loved them, however this audiobook was not my thing. I'm sure the story is great (I bought a physical copy, because I really do want to give it another shot) but the narrator's voice was very annoying to me. I understand that that is a very personal opinion, but this made me DNF the audio book. The narrator was extremely slow, but when I would adjust the pace it would immediately sound robotic. I also could not stand her American accent, it felt mocking and it was over the top.

Again, I loved her novellas so I will be giving the story another chance, this is purely based on the narrator...

This book was such a treat! I loved this take on historical romance and the secretish smutty library was to die for. I originally rated it 4 stars on Storygraph, but after talking with people about it I bumped it up to 4.25 stars. Our two main characters both felt like they were appropriate for the time but also pushed the limits in such a refreshing way. I loved the way the relationship built, and there were a few times I caught myself snickering from funny moments. While I did feel like at points there were a few too many things going on, I really loved the overall story. I cannot wait for her next book!

This Regency romance was not what I was expecting, but in a fantastic way. We don't often get to dig into the dynamics of families in romances (beyond the "cruel parent" theme), and I loved that Vasti built Peter's family into the core of the story. It made the story feel very human and grounded to me, and that pulled me in immediately.

I also adore any hijinks you can give me, and this high-stakes fake marriage was spot on! Although the above-mentioned elements should make this quite a serious and dark book, Vasti still delivers a lighthearted and funny book. All in all, this was one of my favourite romances of 2024!

Mhairi Morrison's narration was fantastic! I think she captured the humour of the book perfectly and handled the different voices well.

Alexandra Vasti delivers a swoon-worthy historical romance in Ne’er Duke Well. Witty banter, rich emotion, and a slow-burn love story make this a must-read for fans of Regency charm and sharp storytelling!

As a lover of historical romance, I always approach a new author with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. But I'd read one of Alexandra Vasti's novellas that are part of this Halifax series, and had enjoyed it, so was hopeful for her first full-length novel. I wasn't disappointed. This was fun - I enjoyed the introduction of Peter Kent, a newly minted duke who was from Louisiana, who wasn't all that enthralled with his new title but was reluctantly enthralled with his newly-met half-siblings and is determined to become their new guardian. I liked Selina Page, who's quite the proper debutante on the surface, but has chosen to forego marriage to pursue her somewhat improper vocation as a publisher. Selina's attempts to help Peter find a very proper duchess to shore up his suitability as a guardian, her attempts are thwarted at every turn - most of all by their mutual attraction to each other. I enjoyed the main characters and those surrounding them. I listened to the audiobook, and enjoyed Mhairi Morrison's narration (although that Louisiana accent probably couldn't used a bit of work - but as a native of the southern U.S. I admit I can be a bit picky about an accent that's very easy to overdo). Overall I enjoyed this one and look forward to more in the Halifax series.
Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Dreamscape Media for providing copies for an unbiased review.

If you're a historical romance fan, Vasti is a must-read author. This one was sweet, lighthearted, and had just the right amount of spice.

Peter and Selina were absolutely delightful together in this charming historical romcom. I'm so looking forward to the next book in this series!

Peter Kent―newly inherited Duke of Stanhope and recently of New Orleans, Louisiana―must become respectable. Between his radical politics and the time he interrupted a minor royal wedding with a flock of sheep―not his fault!―he’s developed a scandalous reputation at odds with his goal of becoming guardian to his half siblings. For help, he turns to the cleverest and most managing woman of his acquaintance, Lady Selina Ravenscroft.

Selina is society’s most proper debutante, save one tiny secret: she runs an erotic circulating library for women. When Peter asks for her help, she suggests courtship and marriage to a lady of unimpeachable reputation. (Which is to say, definitely not herself.)

But matchmaking doesn’t go according to plan. Peter’s siblings run rampant on Bond Street. Selina ends up in the Serpentine. And worst of all, the scorching chemistry between Peter and Selina proves impossible to resist. For the disreputable duke and his unpredictable matchmaker, falling in love just might be the ultimate scandal.

This was such a sweet story! I loved the connection the two main characters had with each other. And they are just good people at heart which made it easy to root for them. Despite the marriage happening sooner than expected, the romance that develops felt grounded. I absolutely loved the side characters, especially the little siblings. I loved seeing their journey to being a true family.

I loved the narrator for this one, especially since she had to do a very heavy male Louisiana accent and a prim English one. Round of applause for her! As for the story, I liked it, but felt like it got a bit long. I appreciated that the big secret wasn't nearly as big of a deal to the people in her life (which is great anxiety rep), but her constant trying to run away because no one could love her for it was a drag.

This was my first historical romance and I really enjoyed it! I thought it was well written and the story kept me engaged and interested

This is a fun, sweet, romantic, and passionate regency romance. The characters are well developed, and interesting. Mhairi Morrison did a gread job bringing these characters, and this story to life. I enjoyed it. #NetGalley

I absolutely loved this book and I’m so sad it took me so long to get to it! I had the opportunity to read the ebook and the listen to the audio and they were both incredible. The narrators were great and really brought life to the characters!

I have a review for the book as a whole, but for the audiobook I’ll keep it short. The narrator’s New Orlean’s accent for this man was not for me. I can’t tell if I just don’t enjoy it in general or if the narrator did a poor job, but I recoiled so fast. It sounded like I was watching Scooby Doo on Zombie Island and the hero was that dude named Jacques. Another review said the accent was off putting and I totally agree. The put is officially off. Nothing at all like I imagined him sounding—which is partly on me. I think this needed a man to read his chapters because it was just too weird having a British woman make this sound at all natural. Also Selena calls his voice “lightly accented” and let me tell you the narrator did not get the memo. She did sound good for the heroine.

I first read the book with my eyes then did another re-read but listening and I was just as in love with the book the second time as I was the first, if not moreso!

The narrators did a fantastic job of embodying the MCs. When I eye-read the book, I knew Peter, the MMC was from Louisiana, but hearing the narrator with his Louisiana accent just really added so much more to the characters. Similarly, the narrator for Selina was stellar. Excellent casting for both MCs!

I enjoyed hearing the intonations and emphases the narrators put on certain phrases and words, allowing for a more nuanced reading of the book as it gives greater insight into the emotions of the characters.

A thoroughly enjoyable read and I would highly recommend the audiobook to fellow readers.

Thanks to the publisher for an early eALC. All opinions are my own.